Monday, April 21, 2008
Vital Signs: Crip Culture Talks Back
Open thread for questions about and discussion of Vital Signs. In a movie from an activist perspective, there's always a risk that some people will preach to the converted and end up looking unsympathetic to those who are not already on their side: you could discuss whom you found to be most sympathetic in those terms. But you could also talk more generally about whose perspective you found to be most thought-provoking, entertaining, stupid, or relevant to other themes we've discussed. I'm most interested in what worked best for you and in what perplexed you; but you're welcome to mention what you found grating as well.
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2 comments:
In this video about disabilty, there were many people int he performance art field that spoke on their behalf. A few things struck me like Cheryl Marie Wade, Mary Duffy and Carrie Sandahl. These women show the power that they possess regardless of the social stigma that they face everyday. Wade's poem about her hands was very moving, because she tells us that her hands can touch too. At first I did not know that Duffy had no arms until she presented herself in the nude for us to see. As she put it her 'conginental malformation" is society's definition of her deformity. Her strength is inspirational. Also her post office story was hilarious. Last but not least was Carrie Sandahl with her coat of medical history. She allowed me to realize that we all have a medical history even if we do not present it on our bodies everyday.
Most of all, the moment of the political crawl opened my eyes that society treats war heroes and disabled as not human, when they live and breathe just like the abled body. It is just wrong to treat them with disrespect. This reminds me of Bud in the restaurant. He was uncomfortable because society made it that way. Kenji in NO-NO-Boy has the power like the women in the video, because he does not allow the loss of his leg to bring his attitude down, even till death. Their strength makes them strong, which creates sympathy, because people do understand they are "not normal so how are they proud?" confuses the people. Sympathy grows among the crowd and compassion is a result, which is the goal. Scoeity must change to make a better place to live.
I thought the movie was a good watch and convincing. I was
particularly moved to thought by the opening scenes showing
the demonstrators such as the "crawl to the capitol
building" and the obstacles they faced and how they
persisted. Also, I was moved by Mary Duffy's nude posing.
First, I kept thinking, "It’s a real life representation of
Athena" and also, "She's beautiful!" Then I thought, "She
has the right to pose that way if she wants and who ever
helped her to get naked and put clothing on her was
[morally] right to help with the project." Then, I realized
that she probably could dress and undress herself with her
feet and I knew that I had learned something new.
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